LARGE-FLOWERED MAGNOLIA. 3 
o 
at others, narrow, round, or obtuse. They are usually thick and coriaceous, of 
a rusty brown on their under sides, and are borne by short petioles. In Florida, 
Georgia, and Carolina, the flowers first appear in April or May; but in England, 
France, and the northern parts of the United States, they seldom put forth before 
June or July ; and they continue in some varieties until they are destroyed by 
frost. The flowers are produced on the summits of the last year's shoots, and 
are from six to ten inches in diameter. It is remarkable that they are produced 
throughout the summer, whereas, those of all the other species, with the excep- 
tion of the Magnolia glauca, when planted in moist situations, come forth 
comparatively at once, and last only a short time. Their odour is exceedingly 
sweet, and overpowering to some when near, though agreeable at a dis- 
tance. They are succeeded by fleshy, oval cones, which are about four 
inches in length, and contain a great number of cells. At the age of maturity, 
or about the first of October, in Carolina, they open longitudinally, exhibiting 
two or three seeds of a vivid red, which soon after quit their cells, and for seve- 
ral days, remain suspended without, by white filaments attached to the bottom 
of their cells. The red, pulpy substance of the seeds decays, in time, and leaves 
naked a stone containing a white, milky kernel. 
Varieties. In consequence of the great demand for this species, many vari- 
ations have been produced by cultivators, and have been considered as distinct 
races, among which the following are deserving of notice : 
1. M. g. obovata, Loudon. Obovate-leaved Large- flowered Magnolia. This 
is said to be the only variety found in the wild state. When cultivated, it 
deserves the preference of all others for the magnificence of its foliage ; but it 
does not flower freely. It may be known by the broad ends of its leaves, and 
its expanded flowers. 
2. M. g. rotundifolia, Loudon. Round-leaved Large-flowered Magnolia. Not 
a very distinct or handsome variety, nor a free flowerer. It may be known by 
its roundish leaves. 
3. M. g. exoniensis, Loudon. Exmouth Large-flowered Magnolia. This is the 
most distinct of all the varieties of the species ; and, on account of its flowering 
early and freely, it is most deserving of general culture. Its form is tall and 
fastigiate, in consequence of which, it is less liable to be injured by a heavy fall of 
snow. It is also said to grow faster than any other variety. It may be distin- 
guished by its oblong-elliptical leaves, generally rusty underneath and by its 
somewhat contracted flowers. 
4. M. g. ferruginea, Loudon. Rusty-leaved Large-flowered Magnolia. This 
differs from the preceding in having rather broader leaves, and larger flowers, 
and in having a wider and more compact head. 
5. M. g. lanceolata, Loudon. Lanceolate-leaved Large-flowered Magnolia. 
Differs from the last-named variety in not having the leaves rusty underneath, 
nor of so broad and bushy a head. 
6. M. g. elliptica, Loudon. Elliptic-leaved Large-flowered Magnolia. The 
flowers of this variety are contracted as in the three preceding varieties, from 
which it differs only in the oblong-elliptical form of its leaves. 
7. M. g. angustifolia, Loudon. Narrow-leaved Large-flowered Magnolia. 
A very distinct variety, readily known by its lanceolate, wavy leaves, pointed 
at both ends. 
8. M. g. precox, Loudon. Early flowering Lar ge- flowered Magnolia. A 
variety which deserves a preference on account of the largeness of the flowers, 
and because they appear early, and continue during the summer. The leave? 
are oval-oblong, and the flowers fully expanded. 
Geograjiky and History. The Magnolia grandifiora is only found indi 
genous to a tract of country extending from the lower part of North Carolina 
